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First place and a clear path to the FIVB World Championship third round is at stake as the United States plays the host nation Bulgaria.
Both the United States and Bulgaria won their second-round openers on Friday to move into a tie for first place in Pool H. The pool champion following the three-match second round will be assured a spot in the third round.
Check out all the FIVB World Championship pool-play matches to follow today and how to follow them live.
Pool G matches
United States (6-0, 1-0 Pool G) vs. Bulgaria (4-2, 1-0 Pool G)
Match vitals: 8:40 p.m. (12:40 p.m. CDT) in Sofia, Bulgaria
Follow live: Live stats, Pay-per-view online video, In-match tweets
FIVB World Championship titles: United States (1986); Bulgaria (none)
Last time qualified for FIVB World Championship third round: United States (2010); Bulgaria (2010)
NCAA players on U.S. roster: Matt Anderson (Penn State 2006-08); Taylor Averill (Hawai’i 2012-15); Micah Christenson (USC 2012-15); Max Holt (Penn State 2006-09); Jeff Jendryk (Loyola 2015-18); Jake Langlois (BYU 2014-17); Dan McDonnell (UC Irvine 2011-12); Ben Patch (BYU 2013, 2016-17); Aaron Russell (Penn State 2012-15); Taylor Sander (BYU 2011-14); Kawika Shoji (Stanford 2007-10); Erik Shoji (Stanford 2009-12); David Smith (UC Irvine 2004-07); Dustin Watten (Long Beach State 2005-09)
NCAA players on Bulgaria roster: None
Iran (4-2, 0-1 Pool G) vs. Canada (3-3, 0-1 Pool G)
Match vitals: 5 p.m. (9 a.m. CDT) in Sofia, Bulgaria
Follow live: Live stats, In-match tweets
FIVB World Championship titles: Iran (none); Canada (none)
Last time qualified for FIVB World Championship third round: Iran (2014); Canada (2006)
NCAA players on Iran roster: None
NCAA players on Canada roster: None
Pool E matches
Netherlands (4-2, 0-1 Pool E) vs. Finland (2-4, 0-1 Pool E)
Match vitals: 5 p.m. (10 a.m. CDT) in Milan, Italy
Follow live: Live stats, In-match tweets
FIVB World Championship titles: Netherlands (none); Finland (none)
Last time qualified for FIVB World Championship third round: Netherlands (1994); Finland (never)
NCAA players on Netherlands roster: None
NCAA players on Finland roster: None
Russia (4-2, 1-0 Pool E) vs. Italy (6-0, 1-0 Pool E)
Match vitals: 9:15 p.m. (2:15 p.m. CDT) in Milan, Italy
Follow live: Live stats, In-match tweets
FIVB World Championship titles: Russia (1982, 1978, 1962, 1960, 1952, 1949); Italy (1998, 1994, 1990)
Last time qualified for FIVB World Championship third round: Russia (2014); Italy (2010)
NCAA players on Russia roster: None
NCAA players on Italy roster: None
Pool F matches
Australia (2-4, 0-1 Pool F) vs. Belgium (3-3, 0-1 Pool F)
Match vitals: 5 p.m. (10 a.m. CDT) in Bologna, Italy
Follow live: Live stats, In-match tweets
FIVB World Championship titles:Australia (none); Belgium (none)
Last time qualified for FIVB World Championship third round: Australia (never); Belgium (never)
NCAA players on Australia roster: Paul Carroll (Pepperdine 2006-09); Thomas Hodges (Pacific 2014; UC Irvine 2015-17)
NCAA players on Belgium roster: None
Slovenia (4-2, 1-0 Pool F) vs. Brazil (5-1, 1-0 Pool F)
Match vitals: 8:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. CDT) in Bologna, Italy
Follow live: Live stats, In-match tweets
FIVB World Championship titles: Slovenia (none); Brazil (2010, 2006, 2002)
Last time qualified for FIVB World Championship third round: Slovenia (never); Brazil (2014)
NCAA players on Slovenia roster: None
NCAA players on Brazil roster: None
Pool H matches
Serbia (5-1, 1-0 Pool H) vs. Argentina (3-3, 1-0 Pool H)
Match vitals: 5 p.m. (9 a.m. CDT) in Varna, Bulgaria
Follow live: Live stats, In-match tweets
FIVB World Championship titles: Serbia (none); Argentina (none)
Last time qualified for FIVB World Championship third round: Serbia (2010); Argentina (2002)
NCAA players on Serbia roster: None
NCAA players on Argentina roster: None
Poland (5-1, 0-1 Pool H) vs. France (3-3, 0-1 Pool H)
Match vitals: 8:40 p.m. (12:40 p.m. CDT) in Varna, Bulgaria
Follow live: Live stats, In-match tweets
FIVB World Championship titles: Poland (2014, 1974); France (none)
Last time qualified for FIVB World Championship third round: Poland (2014); France (2014)
NCAA players on Poland roster: None
NCAA players on France roster: Kevin Tillie (UC Irvine 2012-13)